2,000 strong protest against Qld bikie laws

Amy Remeikis

With their cries and cheers echoing down to police headquarters, thousands of people filled a Brisbane park to protest the Newman government’s anti-association laws.

Standing, sitting and leaning against each other in Emma Miller Place, a small park named for the pioneer unionist and suffragette in the city’s centre, just metres from where the city’s top cops work - more than 2000 people listened in solidarity, as relatives and friends told the stories of loved one arrested under the VLAD laws.

The government has refused to back down, or apologise for its tough stance.

Premier Campbell Newman has repeatedly said he promised the toughest laws in the nation and his government delivered just that, as it was determined to rid Queensland of “the criminal motorcycle gang menace”.

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But in the days, weeks and months since the laws were enacted in October, unrest about the laws has been growing in sectors of the community.

That unrest is what prompted thousands to give up their Australia Day celebrations and spend three hours under the hot city sun in Roma Street, protesting their right to “associate with who we want” under the banner “Freedom Day”.

The anger was evident – swearing in speeches was met with cheers, as were calls to “kick this mob out”. The media weren't spared, with some speakers expressing their “disgust” with some of the coverage to date. Guy Fawkes masks, now synonymous with the protest group Anonymous, were dotted through the crowd, as they are in almost every protest held these days. But there were also union t-shirts, particularly the Electrical Trades Union, which is working on a High Court challenge to the laws, plus tutus and specialty shirts made in honour of those imprisoned under the laws, or expressing disdain for Mr Newman.

There were also tears as one mother spoke of her son’s ongoing experience in solitary confinement, along with enthusiastic rounds of applause and renewed vows to continue fighting.

But for all the fanfare, the flags, the people, the showmanship of three wheeled bikes being ridden across the stage, the rock bands, the leather, the shouts and the emotion, the event was calm enough that police felt comfortable eating their lunch under the shade of a nearby bus stop.

Katrina Soakai said she believed the impact of the laws had spread beyond the motorcycle gang community.

“My question to Premier Newman is ‘what’s your high purpose with all this?’, because I am not getting it,” the mother of five said.

“I live in Logan City and everyone has a past there. And now the government is judging us on that past. So how are you supposed to move on from it? How are you supposed to work towards a future if you are going to be judged on your past?

Some of the motorcycles that brought people to the 'Freedom Rally' in Brisbane 26 Jan 2014 Photo: Facebook - Keith Thomson

“I woke up one morning and saw my world, Logan, in a lot of pain. And all these systems and structures are great, but the little people are struggling, they’re getting caught up in all of this and for what?

“He [Mr Newman] is deliberately dividing us and he’s doing a great job. But people need to remember that we are all human beings and we all bleed the same. And with what’s going on, and where it could lead to, let me tell you, I am petrified. My opinion is that it is all linked to the G20. Because these laws don’t only apply to people on bikes.

“But still. We may not have much, but we have got heart. And that will help carry us through.”

Paul Keyworth, president of the newly formed Motorcyclists Australia Party, which was formed in response to the laws, spent the time after the event gathering signatures for a protest against the laws.

But Mr Keyworth said he was fighting on behalf of all Queenslanders.

“This is about the liberties and rights of every Queenslander, and soon people in every state, because we know that others are looking into these laws,” he said.

“If these laws are not defeated in court, or this political party is not defeated at the next poll, Queensland will live under the yoke of tyranny.

“A lot of people in that crowd, they are not motorcyclists. They are rank and file Queenslanders who were concerned enough to come out, because they don’t like what these laws do, or where they are heading.

The crowd dispersed as quickly as it came, with most gone by 1pm. But those who left on motorcycles appeared careful to travel in no more than groups of two, in case they fell foul of the VLAD laws.

After the rally, Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie made his own message clear.

129 comments so far

One day this bowtie himself will be arrested.

Commenter

mojo

Location

Brisbane

Date and time

January 26, 2014, 2:49PM

Justice is for the rich. Everybody else is guilty until they have the money to fight the charge...

Commenter

John Michaels

Date and time

January 26, 2014, 6:29PM

@ mojo. We can but hope ... in the meantime, Queenslanders should consider just how dangerous it is when the AG does not even know the difference between "evidence" and "proof".

Commenter

Legal view

Date and time

January 27, 2014, 8:56AM

Feel the burn, Jarrod.

Commenter

Shaslik

Date and time

January 26, 2014, 3:01PM

He must be very concerned... I mean that's almost 0.05% of the population...

Commenter

IGBTY

Date and time

January 26, 2014, 4:44PM

Yes Igbty and of the 2 'thousand' most if not all will be bikies and their families. Maybe the family income has been reduced a bit recently and that's why they are upset, business is business. I'm stunned that ordinary citizens would in any way have sympathy for bikies and their 'business' model and that's why I'm of the opinion that comments on sites like this are to a large extent organized to look like the ave Qld'er is concerned. In fact most people want the bikie 'business' model and it's tragic results broken up. People even supposedly had sympathy for one of the Yandina mob when in fact the bloke had a criminal record for drug dealing. If people on these sites or at the park are not bikies or related you should wake up to yourself because the bikies don't give a rats about you rights.

Commenter

Roary

Date and time

January 26, 2014, 5:03PM

So only 2000 grubs protested about the alleged "Nazi-style" laws....Looks like many millions agree with the LNP's tough stance.

Thanks and More please Campbell and the boy

Commenter

Average Bloke

Date and time

January 26, 2014, 7:09PM

Wow, the LNP taxpayer funded PR team is working for their money, is this how the $500 k is to be spent? criticising people that stand up for their rights, while they baa and be good little sheeple?

Commenter

wdawes

Date and time

January 27, 2014, 10:20AM

sheeple ?

The best description yet for union members and outlaw bikie gang mambers.

The Union Boss (on 6 figure paypacket) says strike so all the workers (on much much less) say yes boss.

The Bikie Leader says do this and that so the all the little sheeple bikers go an do it.... note that the Bosses and Leaders never get sacked or caught, only the sheeples.

Commenter

sheeple

Date and time

January 27, 2014, 2:14PM

Wouldn't it be an exquisite irony if some of the same people who helped disseminate views about members of a profession "living in ivory towers" were to end up calling on the assistance of members of that same profession in order to clarify their understanding of defamation?